Generating and visualizing a soccer knowledge base

This demo abstract describes the SmartWeb Ontology-based Information Extraction System (SOBIE). A key feature of SOBIE is that all information is extracted and stored with respect to the SmartWeb ontology. In this way, other components of the systems, which use the same ontology, can access this information in a straightforward way. We will show how information extracted by SOBIE is visualized within its original context, thus enhancing the browsing experience of the end user

Long-Endurance Sensing and Mapping using a Hand-Launchable Solar-Powered UAV

ISSN:1610-743

Analysis of matched case–control data with multiple ordered disease states: possible choices and comparisons

In an individually matched case–control study, effects of potential risk factors are ascertained through conditional logistic regression (CLR). Extension of CLR to situations with multiple disease or reference categories has been made through polychotomous CLR and is shown to be more efficient than carrying out separate CLRs for each subgroup. In this paper, we consider matched case–control studies where there is one control group, but there are multiple disease states with a natural ordering among themselves. This scenario can be observed when the cases can be further classified in terms of the seriousness or progression of the disease, for example, according to different stages of cancer. We explore several popular models for ordered categorical data in this context. We first adopt a cumulative logit or equivalently, a proportional-odds model to account for the ordinal nature of the data. The important distinction of this model from a stratified dichotomous and polychotomous logistic regression model is that the stratum-specific nuisance parameters cannot be eliminated in this model via the conditional-likelihood approach. We discuss a Mantel–Haenszel approach for analysing such data. We point out possible difficulties with standard likelihood-based approaches with the cumulative logit model when applied to case–control data. We then consider an alternative conditional adjacent-category logit model. We illustrate the methods by analysing data from a matched case–control study on low birthweight in newborns where infants are classified according to low and very low birthweight and a child with normal birthweight serves as a control. A simulation study compares the different ordinal methods with methods ignoring sub-classification of the ordered disease states. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/56068/1/2790_ftp.pd

Sequential learning of psychomotor and visuospatial skills for laparoscopic suturing and knot tying – study protocol for a randomized controlled trial “The shoebox study”

Background: Laparoscopy training has become an integral part of surgical education. Suturing and knot tying is a basic, yet inherent part of many laparoscopic operations, and should be mastered prior to operating on patients. One common and standardized suturing technique is the C-loop technique. In the standard training setting, on a box trainer, the trainee learns the psychomotor movements of the task and the laparoscopic visuospatial orientation simultaneously. Learning the psychomotor and visuospatial skills separately and sequentially may offer a more time-efficient alternative to the current standard of training. Methods: This is a monocentric, two-arm randomized controlled trial. The participants are medical students in their clinical years (third to sixth year) at Heidelberg University who have not previously partaken in a laparoscopic training course lasting more than 2 hours. A total of 54 students are randomized into one of two arms in a 1:1 ratio to sequential learning (group 1) or control (group 2). Both groups receive a standardized introduction to the training center, laparoscopic instruments, and C-loop technique. Group 1 learn the C-loop using a transparent shoebox, thus only learning the psychomotor skills. Once they reach proficiency, they then perform the same knot tying procedure on a box trainer with standard laparoscopic view, where they combine their psychomotor skills with the visuospatial orientation inherent to laparoscopy. Group 2 learn the C-loop using solely a box trainer with standard laparoscopic view until they reach proficiency. Trainees work in pairs and time is recorded for each attempt. The primary outcome is mean total training time for each group. Secondary endpoints include procedural and knot quality subscore differences. Tertiary endpoints include studying the influence of gender and video game experience on performance. Discussion: This study addresses whether the learning of the psychomotor and visuospatial aspects of laparoscopic suturing and knot tying is optimal sequentially or simultaneously, by assessing total training time, procedural, and knot quality differences between the two groups. It will improve the efficiency of future laparoscopic suturing courses and may serve as an indicator for laparoscopic training in a broader context, i.e., not only for suturing and knot tying. Trial registration: This trial was registered on 12 August 2015 with the trial registration number DRKS00008668

A Bayesian Semiparametric Approach for Incorporating Longitudinal Information on Exposure History for Inference in Case–Control Studies

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/92073/1/j.1541-0420.2011.01686.x.pd

Factors and considerations for establishing and improving seasonal influenza vaccination of health workers: Report from a WHO meeting, January 16-17, Berlin, Germany

Health workers represent an important target group for seasonal influenza vaccination because of their increased risk of infection as well as the risk of transmitting infection to vulnerable patients in the health care setting. Moreover, seasonal vaccination of health workers contributes to pandemic preparedness. However, many countries, especially in Africa and Asia, do not have policies for health worker influenza vaccination. In countries where such policies exist, vaccination coverage is often low. The World Health Organization (WHO) is developing a manual to guide the introduction of seasonal influenza vaccination of health workers. An Independent External Advisory Group (IEAG) that is advising WHO on the content of the manual met to discuss issues that are relevant and often unique to health worker vaccination. This meeting report summarizes the main issues that were discussed and the outcomes of the discussion. The issues include policy considerations, including the evidence in support of health worker vaccination; categorization and prioritization of health workers; the choice of vaccination strategy; its integration into broader health worker vaccination and occupational health policies; planning and management of vaccination, particularly the approaches for communication and demand generation; and the challenges with monitoring and evaluation of health worker vaccination, especially in low and middle-income countries

The impact of training on self-reported performance in reproductive, maternal, and newborn health service delivery among healthcare workers in Tanzania: a baseline- and endline-survey

Background: Delivery of quality reproductive health services has been documented to depend on the availability of healthcare workers who are adequately supported with appropriate training. However, unmet training needs among healthcare workers in reproductive, maternal, and newborn health (RMNH) in low-income countries remain disproportionately high. This study investigated the effectiveness of training with onsite clinical mentorship towards self-reported performance in RMNH among healthcare workers in Mwanza Region, Tanzania. Methods: The study used a quasi-experimental design with pre-and post-intervention evaluation strategy. The baseline was compared with two endline groups: those with intervention (training and onsite mentorship) and those without. The differences among the three groups in the sociodemographic characteristics were analyzed by using chi-square test for categorical variables, independent-sample t-test for continuous variables and Mann-Whitney U test for ordinal or skewed continuous data. The independent sample t-test was used to determine the effect of the intervention by comparing the computed self-reported performance on RMNH services between the intervention and control groups. The paired-samples t-test was used to measure the differences between before and after intervention groups. Significance was set at a 95% confidence interval with p ≤ 0.05. Results: The study included a sample of 216 participants with before and after intervention groups comprising of 95 (44.0%) and 121 (56.0%) in the control group. The comparison between before and after intervention groups revealed a statistically significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in all the dimensions of the self-reported performance scores. However, the comparison between intervention groups and controls indicated a statistical significant difference on intra-operative care (t = 3.10, df = 216, p = 0.002), leadership skills (t = 1.85, df = 216, p = 0.050), Comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care (CEMONC) (t = 34.35, df = 216, p ≤ 0.001), and overall self-reported performance in RMNH (t = 3.15, df = 216, p = 0.002). Conclusions: This study revealed that the training and onsite clinical mentorship to have significant positive changes in self-reported performance in a wide range of RMNH services especially on intra-operative care, leadership skills and CEMONC. However, further studies with rigorous designs are warranted to evaluate the long-term effect of such training programs on RMNH outcomes

Gastrointestinal bleeding after liver transplantation

To investigate the causes of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) and its impact on patient and graft survival after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx), the first 1000 consecutive OLTx using tacrolimus were studied. Our patient population consisted of 834 adults. The bleeding episodes of patients with GIB (n=74) were analyzed, and patients without GIB (n=760) were used as controls. The mean age, gender, and United Network for Organ Sharing status were similar in both groups. Endoscopy was done in 73 patients with GIB and yielded a diagnosis in 60 patients (82.2%): 39 with a single, and 21 with multiple GIB episodes. In the remaining 13 patients (17.8%), the bleeding source was not identified. Of 92 GIB episodes with endoscopic diagnoses, ulcers (n=25) were the most common cause of bleeding, followed by enteritis (n=24), portal hypertensive lesions (n=15), Roux-en-Y bleeds, and other miscellaneous events (n=28). The majority (73%) of the GIB episodes occurred during the first postoperative trimester. The patient and graft survival rates were statistically lower in the GIB group compared with the control group. The adjusted relative risk of mortality and graft failure was increased by bleeding. In summary, the cumulative incidence of GIB was 8.9%. Endoscopy identified the source of GIB in most cases. Ulcers were the most common cause of GIB after OLTx. The onset of GIB after OLTx was an indicator of decreased patient and graft survival